Tenants fear for future as their Charlottetown apartment complex starts turning into condos

Residents of the Waterview Heights complex in Charlottetown are worried about having to look for new housing in the wake of some major changes.

The rental complex near Spring Park has changed hands and the buildings are being turned into condominiums. 

Residents were given paper notices from the landlord that said in part: "We have some vacant units that will be sold first. Additionally, we are asking interested tenants to reach out at this time if they wish to explore the possibility of owning their unit." The note then gave a local real estate agent's name and number. 

Kim Mears is one of the tenants who voiced concerns Tuesday evening at an informal gathering that included some provincial politicians. She said the uncertainty of what could happen scares her.

"Not knowing who owns the building that I'm in, or what's going to happen, or whether I'm going to wake up and there's going to be another notice on my door is really unsettling," she said.

Mears lives by herself and can't afford to buy a home on a single income, so expects she will be a lifelong renter.

"As a tenant, I just have to take it day by day and just hope… that I'm going to continue to have a place to live."

Another tenant, Jim Millard, said there's been virtually no communication with the landlord about the situation. 

"We haven't really had any. You find a note taped to your door, you haven't got a face to it," he said. "It caught everybody by surprise."

He is trying to remain optimistic but said some tenants, himself included, have started searching for other places to live as a precaution. 

"I am hopeful that this is all going to start moving forward, and whatever gaps that there are in the whole situation right now can be filled in and leave people with a little bit better sense of security in where they live," he said.

Provincial Housing Minister Rob Lantz was at the gathering of tenants on Tuesday evening. He said the developer assured him he would not attempt to sell Waterview Heights units that are currently occupied by tenants.

"I've spent a lot of time over the last week or more speaking with the owner of this property, and he's given me some assurances that he's moving very carefully and slowly," Lantz said. 

The minister said he wants to "continue the dialogue" to provide clarity and ensure that everyone concerned understands their rights.